The 2009 Champion Roger Federer may have not played a match in French open in four years but he easily completed this first round match against Italian Lorenzo Sonego with 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Roger set up a second round against German lucky loser Oscar Otte.
“I feel that the public missed me and I missed them,” Federer said later, although his Parisian comeback was not without trepidation. “There needs to be extra preparation for the clay-court season for me – especially this year because I’m not getting any younger and I haven’t played many years on the clay now.”
“I knew I can play very well on clay and I am very happy I did it in straight sets today,” Federer said.
Lorenzo Sonego, Roger Federer, Roland Garros 2019,
In the 101 minutes match the no. 3 seed Roger landed 74 percent of first serve accuracy , firing five aces showing his master class return in the French open .
Federer made the quarter-finals in Madrid and Rome to prepare for his first match at Roland Garros since 2015 and there were positive signs that his game and fitness are in decent shape. “I enjoyed Madrid, I enjoyed Rome,” he said. “I’m happy to be here. The reception I got today was crazy, was really nice to see a full stadium for a first round.”
Social media reaction on match
The long wait is over…@rogerfederer makes a successful return to Roland-Garros 6-2 6-4 6-4 over Lorenzo Sonego.#RG19 pic.twitter.com/6pfmGemZ0P
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 26, 2019